CARTHAGE, Miss.–Some Central Mississippi schools are getting a thumbs up from Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann’s office for their chronic absenteeism rates being at 15 percent or lower.
Both Hosemann’s office and state lawmakers have expressed concerns over the state’s chronic absenteeism rate as a whole, which increased dramatically for the last school year to 24 percent. But, the acknowledgement is for districts and individual schools that have done well in keeping absenteeism under control.
“The goal should be for every school in Mississippi to reach its pre-pandemic rate, and then keep trending downward. When children are in the classroom, they are safe and they are learning,” said Hosemann.
“This award is meant to celebrate schools concentrating on bringing their attendance rates up and encourage others to set the same goal.”
No districts in this area got the acknowledgement.
The individual schools include: S. V. Marshall Middle School and Williams-Sullivan Middle School in the Holmes Consolidate District; Leake Central Elementary School; and Lake Elementary School in Scott County.
Some measures that may help cut down on chronic absenteeism, according to a news release from Hosemann’s office, include banning cell phone use and having dedicated attendance officers.
